Easy Quilt Patterns for Beginners – Simple Steps to Quilting

Easy Quilt Patterns for Beginners – Simple Steps to Quilting photo 0

Beginner’s Guide to Easy Quilt Patterns

Starting quilting can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be with the wealth of easy quilt patterns available. From simple patchwork quilts to faster strip quilts, there are plenty of quilting projects for both new and seasoned quilters alike. Here’s my handy beginner’s guide to quilting successfully with easy quilt patterns.

Where to Find Easy Quilt Patterns

When I first started quilting, I remember feeling pretty overwhelmed trying to find good beginner quilt patterns among the sea of options. Here are my top recommendations for finding easy free quilt patterns for beginners:

  1. Look for simple patchwork patterns. These quilts are made up of squares and rectangles and are easier to piece together.
  2. Find patterns labeled as beginner, fast, weekend, or easy. These are typically less complex projects.
  3. Check out quilting magazines like Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting which highlight beginner-friendly patterns in every issue.
  4. Browse sites like AllPeopleQuilt.com which offer hundreds of free beginner quilt patterns to choose from.

5 Types of Easy Quilt Patterns

From my experience, the following five pattern types make excellent first quilt projects for beginners:

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  1. Nine Patch Quilts: Made by sewing squares together in groups of nine, these classic patterns come together quickly.
  2. Strip Quilts: Stitch strips of fabric together lengthwise allowing for very simple construction.
  3. Four Patch and Five Patch Quilts: Like nine patches, join squares together in set layouts for fuss-free designs.
  4. Rail Fence or Zig Zag Quilts: Sew strips diagonally across the quilt avoiding intricate piecing or measurements.
  5. Checkerboard Quilts: Alternate colored square blocks checkerboard style for simple, striking designs.

Tips for Quilting Success

From my years of quilting experience, here is some advice I often give new quilters that I’ve seen having beginner struggles:

  1. Start with quilt patterns using bigger block sizes, like 10” squares. Small pieces can be tricky.
  2. Stick to 100% cotton quilting fabrics initially. Other materials can be slippery.
  3. Don’t make the mistake of buying cheap tools. Get quality so stitches are neat.
  4. Always triple check measurements at each step to ensure accuracy.
  5. Try both machine and hand quilting 1-2 projects to discover preferences.

Basically if you stick to easier quilt plans, take time with precision, and don’t overload yourself on the first couple quilts, you’ll avoid becoming overwhelmed as a beginner quilter. I sort of learned that lesson the hard way years ago when I attempted a complicated double Irish chain pattern on just my second quilt! It wasn’t a disaster, but let’s just say I should have started simpler at the time.

My Favorite Easy Quilt Patterns for Beginners

Alright, as promised, here are some of my personal fave easy quilt patterns recommendations! Maybe you’ll find a new rewarding beginner quilting project among one of these free patterns:

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Double Four Patch Quilt

The classic four patch quilt block pattern doubles up for striking contrast in this gorgeous yet easy strip quilt pattern from Fons & Porter. By stitching together squares and rectangles in series rather than tricky piecing blocks, it’s a breeze to assemble. Throw in some pops of color, and presto…stunning made-with-love quilt!

Gingham Girls Strip Quilt

Here’s a simple strip quilt pattern that’s super fast to stitch up. I recently made this gingham fabric quilt and was able to piece together the top in just one evening! With straight seaming and pretty prairie points edging detail, what’s not to love? It finishes at 52” x 64” making it perfect size for naps, playrooms or donations.

Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt

I just think this diagonal rainbow quilt is so fresh and happy, don’t you? And talk about fast and easy, you basically sew binding strips together on the diagonal rather than dealing with fiddly quilt block construction. It seems even a newbie could finish up this bright and cheery quilt in maybe half a day!?

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Well I don’t know about you, but after writing out this beginner’s guide, I’m feeling pretty motivated to break out my sewing machine this weekend and start a new easy quilt pattern adventure! Hopefully you discovered a couple eye-catching picks in that list of my faves. Let me know in the comments if you try any of the patterns or have your own suggestions for easy quilt designs.

And if you’re feeling unsure at all about getting started quilting, I encourage you to just go for it! Grab a simple pattern, some 100% cotton fabric, and have fun with it. Because honestly, I think life’s too short not to be wrapped up cozy with a mug of tea under a hand-stitched quilt once in awhile, don’t you agree?

Beginner Quilt Patterns
Pattern Difficulty Level Recommended Fabric Finished Size
Nine Patch Beginner Cotton quilting fabric 50″ x 60″
Rail Fence Beginner Cotton or flannel Twin to King size
Log Cabin Intermediate Multiple coordinating prints 45″ x 60″
Disappearing Pinwheels Beginner Contrasting fabrics 40″ x 50″

Here is a FAQ block on quilt patterns easy:

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FAQ

What are some easy quilt patterns for beginners?

  1. The rail fence pattern is a really simple quilting design. You basically sew together strips of fabric in an up and down pattern to create the look of a zigzagging fence rail. Super easy!
  2. Square patchwork quilts are nice and straightforward too. Just sew together same-sized squares of fabrics into bigger squares or rectangles. Kind of like a checkerboard.
  3. The nine patch pattern is another classic that’s great for quilting newbies. Sorta like the square patchwork but with 9 squares in each block.

What tools do I need to make easy quilt patterns?

  1. You’ll wanna have a good sewing machine, some basic quilting supplies like rotary cutters, mats, acrylic rulers, pins, needles, thread, etc.
  2. An iron and ironing board are clutch for pressing seams flat as you piece together the quilt top.
  3. Oh and don’t forget fabric shears or scissors to cut your fabrics with. The Gingher 8″ ones are pretty solid for quiltmaking.

How do I calculate how much fabric I’ll need?

  1. It kinda depends on the quilt dimensions you want and how big the individual patches/pieces are.
  2. Generally for easy quilt patterns, figure about 1/2 yard of fabric per block. Then multiply that by how many total blocks your quilt will have.
  3. Leave a lil extra for insurance. You can always use leftovers for other projects!

Any tips for an absolute newb?

  1. Start with something small like a baby quilt or throw. Don’t go for a king size on your first go-round, ya know?
  2. Be patient with yourself. Quilting takes practice like any craft. Don’t expect perfection right away.
  3. Oh and use 1/4″ seam allowances. It makes piecing quilts together way easier with accurate line ups.